Everyday Celebrating

DIY: Custom stamped plates

Are you addicted to dishes?  One of those people that love to have different dishes for every occasion? 

Yep, me too.

I have a LOT of dishes and to be honest, once I use a specialty set, I don't want to use them again.  I want something new that fits in with the new theme, etc.  

See where this is going? 

Exactly.  Where to put them all when you're finished?   Dishes take up a lot of storage.  Especially if you're just hoarding them and never really reusing them.

Enter this great idea from I'm Topsy Turvy.

Want a great plate or a great design for a special occasion?  Stamp it!   Yep, that's right!

Buy regular stamps and add the color on with food markers such as these Wilton Food Writers:

 

Just color the stamp with the markers and stamp the plate!

You can have fun, custom plates for any occasion!  Add a monogram, a graphic, lines, etc.  Your design is only limited to what types of stamps you can find!   Plus, the food markers are edible and wash off so you have a clean slate (plate) for next time!

DIY: Mashed Potato Bar

Want an easy and fun entree to serve up at your next gathering?  How about mashed potato martinis?

You see these frequently offered by caterers and they are just as easy to serve at home.  Let your guests get creative in making their own "mashtinis".

Moore Minutes gives some great suggestions on setting up various topping stations and shows photos of the finished items with virtually no cooking!

 

 

Easy Cherry Tarts

From this...

to this....

Step by step instructions on how to pull off these EASY tarts can be found at The Art of Doing Stuff.

DIY: Heart filled cupcakes!

A love filled surprise inside an unsuspecting cupcake!

Room mothers - this would make a great classroom treat!

Learn the how to, complete with printable recipe, at Alison's Wonder Scraporium! 

Amazing cake how to!

Have you ever seen amazing cakes like these, wanted to make them for your children, but had no idea or the creativity to pull it off?

Parenting magazine has a great gallery on their site that shows you amazing cakes and then points out all the details, the recipe and how to cut the cakes to make the pieces.  See how they point out what to use to make the details?

Great inspiration for your next birthday party!

Valentine's Day trinkets for GIRLS!

I've over at Nashville Parent magazine talking about these.....

Find out what they are, where to get them and how to use them for an inexpensive Valentine's Day treat for classroom girls.  C'mon over!

I'm over HERE!

Today, I'm over at Nashville Parent magazine sharing a super easy Valentine's Day dinner idea!

C'mon over and visit!

DIY: Cake/dessert stands

I love these amazing cake/dessert stands by the ladies of Bee in our Bonnet!

Made with wooden candlesticks and dowels, plus squares of solid wood and doll house trim, they are sturdy!  

Visit their site for the full photo tutorial.  If you're willing to tackle a wood project, these would make a great gift for entertaining friends. 

DIY: Snow drift candle holders

I love these snow drift candle holders from Living with Lindsay! 

So easy to make with mod podge, epsom salts and glitter!

Remember, you can get plenty of extra vases at Goodwill!  Even mason jars would be cute or small votive holders! Add in some red and pink glitter for a nice Valentine's Day vase!

Visit Lindsay's site for a full tutorial with photos!

Last minute gifts!

So Christmas is THIS WEEK!  Have you heard?  As with every year, the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas seems to roll like a runaway train and before you know it, you're smack dab in the middle of Christmas week and may have forgotten a gift or two.

And who doesn't like to receive something fabulous delivered right to their door?

Recently, I was sent some fabulous gifts by the lovely team over at 1-800-Flowers and I want to share with you that these gifts are not your everyday fruitcake.  These are amazing gifts that not only make an impression... they are amazing in taste as well!

First up, Cheryl's cookies.  Yes, they are a box of cookies, BUT... they come beautifully wrapped and taste wonderful.

I opened the box to find the cookies presented in this.  Beautiful, right?  A sparkly box.  I guarantee you will want to keep the box, even.  It's THAT beautiful up close.

Open up the box... each cookie is wrapped individually!    Buttercream frosted! yum!

Cheryl's cookies are a perfect and affordable gift.  And, Cheryl's has a cookie club!  Send someone the gift of cookies all year!

The next item I received was the sleigh gift basket.  I wanted to show you how this arrives because don't you always wonder when you order a gift, how it's presented and if they take enough care in packaging it?  

The sleigh basket is rather large.  And the above picture is what it looked like when I received it.  It came in a large box and inside the box, the basket was braced with dividers. This basket wasn't going anywhere!  (Just how you want it!)  The basket itself was shrink wrapped and draped with a beautiful gold and red bow.  It literally looked JUST like the photo on the website:

The sleigh is beautiful and can be reused as hoilday decor for years to come. It would make a great serving piece!  Drap a beautiful napkin inside and serve holiday rolls or Christmas morning cinnamon rolls out of?   Or reuse it for a wonderful holiday centerpiece!

If you're stumped over what to buy someone, feel like you're running out of time but want something special and beautiful?  Just hop over to 1-800-Flowers or 1-800-Baskets.  They will be shipping even on December 23 to get them to your loved ones on for the holiday.  Below are the order deadlines.  Make it easy on yourself and order NOW and know that something beautiful will be delivered straight to their door!

And guess what?  MyDaily.com is offering 25% off code that can be used before December 31. Just use the code "Daily25deal" for 25% off your order.

1-800-BASKETS.COM (Christmas delivery on orders placed by 1 p.m. EST Dec. 23)

 

Fannie May Fine Chocolates (Christmas delivery on orders placed by 11 a.m. EST Dec. 23)

 

Cheryl’s Baked Goods (Christmas delivery on orders placed by 3 p.m. EST Dec. 23)

 

The Popcorn Factory (Christmas delivery on orders placed by 3 p.m. EST Dec. 23)